Auberive - Abbey

The "Abbaye d'Auberive" has a long history. The Cistercian abbey was founded by Bernard of Clairvaux in 1136 (under the name "Alba Ripa"). This was the 24th "filiation" of the Clairvaux Abbey. The time of the Cistercian monks ended, when the former abbey became a "commende" during the reign if Francis I of France. Since then the abbot was chosen by the French King.

The still existing buildings were erected after 1700. The French Revolution ended all monastic/feudal life here. The complex was sold as National Property.

Upto 1807 the buildings were used as a spinning factory (owned by Denis Diderot´s son in law). It changed hands a couple of times - and from 1856 and upto 1924 (!) the buildings served as a prison, just like the former abbey in Clairvaux, that still is a prison.

Meanwhile the buildings are privately owned, but open to the public.